5 Tips for Managing Job-Related Stress

With much of your life spent at work, it’s not uncommon for adults to feel constantly overwhelmed by to-do lists, appointments and just the speed of life in general. High stress levels are dangerous, so although you may think you’re doing a good job keeping your head above water, you could actually be opening a floodgate for future health concerns. It’s never too late to start managing your stress at work.

1. Take a walk in the morning.

Not only will a walk every morning before work wake you up better than that cup of coffee, but you’ll have the time to sort your day out in your mind. This might make the tasks and appointments of the day easier to tackle because you’ll be ready for them. A walk every morning will also get your blood flowing, which has excellent health benefits. You may or may not lose weight, but you are lowering your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and much more.

2. Throw out unrealistic goals.

Want to be able to finish an impossible amount of work one day? If it’s clear that this just can’t happen, stop trying to make it work. You’re only setting yourself up for disappointment at the end of the day. Instead of telling yourself that giving up lunch, cutting your appointments short and even staying an hour late could help you reach your goal, start planning for a realistic day.

3. Take a break when you’re feeling stressed.

Step back and analyze your range of emotions. When you’re feeling good, you’re happy. When something unexpected happens, you deal with it and move on. If something else goes wrong, are you frustrated at this point? As the stress levels build, your emotions change gradually from good to bad. Figure out at which point you’re feeling frustrated, long before you’re feeling frantic, angry or upset – and when you’ve reached out, step out. When you’re feeling like you can breathe again, go back to your desk. Taking a few 5-minute breaks in the day won’t set you back, and they’ll help you a lot in the end.

4. Bring healthy snacks to work.

Not only does bringing snacks save you a dollar here and there at the vending machine, but there are many other benefits to bringing snacks to work, too. Two candy bars a day might make you feel remorseful, but fruit or nuts are healthy and give you vitamins and nutrients your body needs to function. Also, staving off hunger before it really takes a hold of you can also lower stress levels significantly. If you want, go the extra mile and bring lunch to work, too. The money you save and the extra calories from fast food you spared are sure to brighten your week.

5. Connect with your co-workers.

Being social is key to keeping a smile on your face. If you have an office, start leaving your door open so that your co-workers will feel comfortable stopping in for a brief chat. This simple gesture could get you an invite to their usual happy-hour outings or other social activities outside of work. If you’re working with people you like, you’ll like your job more. Or if you have a work-from-home job, take that laptop to a public place with free Wi-Fi. Just being around others every day is good for you and you may even get a lot more done.

It’s never too late to take your health into account.

By integrating these small changes into your day, you could lower your stress levels significantly. Not only will you see direct results by changes in your mood, but lowering your blood pressure – or preventing it from rising – will benefit you in the long run. High blood pressure is one of the biggest causes of heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer in America. Lower your risk of heart attacks and stroke now, and you’ll live a happier, healthier life when you’re older.

If you’re already suffering from high blood pressure or something more serious, it’s never too late to be proactive. You can still manage your stress levels, but it’s important to identify yourself in the process. If a medical emergency arises while you are at work, your co-workers will most likely not know your medical history or medication that you are on. If you’re wearing medical alert jewelry, emergency personnel can identify what treatment is right for you right away. This could be the difference between life and death. Shop for bracelets, dog tags and more at AmericanMedical-ID.com today and find what’s right for you.

About Amanda Beck

Amanda Beck writes for American Medical ID on a variety of topics relating to health care and healthy living, especially for those whose medical conditions warrant an emergency ID.